Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sensationally claimed that his life is in danger and blamed Inspector General Douglas Kanja for his tribulations.

According to Gachagua, the withdrawal of his security and failure to investigate attacks targeting him were a clear indication that the police boss was complicit in the plan.

In a letter dated April 15 to Kanja and copied to President William Ruto, Gachagua detailed incidents that he claimed were a threat to his life and blamed the police for inaction.

“As you are aware, you have a constitutional responsibility and duty to protect the life and property of every Kenyan. However, in this case, Mr Kanja, you are perpetuating crime and violence,” Gachagua stated.

IG Kanja, through the police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, however, said the National Police Service is mandated to ensure the safety of all Kenyans, residents, visitors, and their property.

Additional security

The police boss instead advised Gachagua to liaise with police officers at all levels should he require additional security measures, and notify the police in advance of his movements and public engagements to facilitate proper planning and coordination of his security arrangements.

The former DP gave a timeline dating back to November 28, 2024, when he was attacked during a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu County, and claimed that it was an assassination attempt that had failed.

“I was attacked by attacked by organised criminal gangs, my vehicles damaged irreparably…This was an assassination attempt that failed,” he stated.

Gachagua also cited another incident on December 19, 2024, when he was trailed by an unmarked vehicle for over 150km in Makueni County.

He said he did not know the motive of those trailing him but linked it to what he called increased surveillance by people believed to be National Intelligence Service (NIS) officers.

Surveillance

Gachagua claimed that his family members have been trailed by unknown people on other occasions who use unmarked cars and clandestine number plates. According to him, this surveillance was not random but part of a wider pattern of intimidation.

“A NIS officer with a fake car number plate KCR 919U trailed me for over 150 km in Makueni for reasons best known to yourselves,” he wrote.

Since he was impeached in October last year, Gachagua has not relented in his criticism of President William Ruto’s government, and has made a series of public allegations against Ruto and the government.

Gachagua has taken to social media to engage young Kenyans, held discussions from his Wamunyoro home and even appeared on TV shows.

Disrupted meeting

In another case on December 28, 2024, Gachagua claimed that an organised criminal gang disrupted his meeting in Shamata, Nyandarua County, where a tear gas canister was thrown at him, to scatter his supporters and create grounds for his assassination.

“The Inspector of Police, well known to you, has not been disciplined for destabilising peace and an attempted assassination,” he added.

Gachagua also stated that on January 18, 2025, at a prayer rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nyeri town, his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, was also attacked. He said he was to attend the meeting but skipped after an intelligence tip-off.

“I skipped as a responsible citizen to avoid what would have led to conflict, bad for our nation,” he said.

On March 23, 2025, he said a gang also attacked faithful where he was attending a service at the ACK St Peter’s Cathedral in Nyeri as police officers “idly watched” as the chaos unfolded.

In another case on March 29 this year in Naivasha town, Gachagua said police officers, led by the Naivasha OCPD, roughed up his supporters, who had gathered for a meet and greet.

In another incident on April 6, 2025, while at a church at PCEA Kasarani East Parish at Mwiki, Nairobi, Gachagua said a group of rowdy individuals armed with crude weapons attacked them.

He faulted the police for not responding to the matter. Gachagua claimed that since his security detail had been withdrawn, he has had to rely on private protection who fired warning shots to disperse a rowdy group.

Besides presenting concerns, the former DP also issued several demands to the Inspector General.

Security coverage

He called for the arrest and prosecution of those who have threatened or attacked him and demanded security coverage at all public functions he attends, noting that he still holds a leadership position in the country.

Gachagua also urged government officials, including those from NIS, to stop following him and interfering with public gatherings.

He further demanded that his homes and properties be protected as part of his constitutional rights.

Police have been accused of inaction. However, regarding the Mwiki incident, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the church failed to notify the police of the planned function and therefore, no advance security measures were deployed.

Gachagua concluded: “Take firm notice that might further assassination attempts be meted out to me, you will be personally responsible.”

Kanja also said the service was committed to constitutional impartiality, serving all persons without political bias.

“We remain apolitical and steadfast in proactively deploying intelligence-led measures to pre-empt and respond to security threats through multi-agency approaches, while strictly upholding the rule of law and human rights,” Kanja said.

The police boss assured the public that the security situation nationwide remains stable.

“Police shall dutifully respond to all security needs where and when requested as provided for under the law,” he said.

In June 2019, there were also allegations that there were plans to assassinate the then DP, William Ruto. The allegations were based on a letter, purported to have been written by a CS.

The then Trade Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, CS for ICT Joe Mucheru, Health CS Sicily Kariuki, and three other Principal Secretaries denied the allegations and later reported to DCI headquarters.

“The officers have confirmed to us that the DP made a call and complained that some CSs and other senior government officials have been meeting at La Mada Hotel, and specifically on 14 May, to plan how to kill him,” CS Munya said.